She glanced down at the edge of the platform, then looked up at Lin Mingsong opposite her. After a moment of silence, she sheathed her sword.
If Lin Mingsong hadn’t sheathed his blade, she would have stepped off the Combat Platform next.
According to the rules of the competition, stepping off the Combat Platform meant defeat.
"I lost."
Her voice was calm, with no trace of resentment or dejection.
’I didn’t lose because of my Swordsmanship, but because of my lack of practical combat experience.’
She was well aware of this fact.
"Thank you for the match." Lin Mingsong sheathed his blade, clasped his fist in salute, and turned to walk off the Combat Platform.
A wave of applause erupted from below the platform, especially from the members of the Third Branch.
The Third Branch was the biggest winner of this tournament, taking two of the top three spots.
But even Lin Minghai refrained from running his mouth this time. The Third Branch had stolen the show, and there was no need to attract any more envy.
Lin Yan stood below the platform, watching Brother Song’s retreating figure, lost in thought. ’When it comes to practical combat experience, I’ve never been lacking. If I were Sister Mingxi, I can think of several variations in Swordsmanship that could have turned the tables.’
「The mountainside pavilion.」
"Mingxi still lacks a certain edge in practical combat."
Lin Shouchen began to speak slowly. As the foremost True Gang Realm powerhouse of the Third Branch, he knew what Mingsong had been doing on his travels these past one or two years. He had been tempered in the crucible of life and death on several occasions. The practical combat experience forged in such desperate struggles was not something Mingxi could hope to match.
Lin Shouchen could see it, as could the others present. As Mingxi’s father, Lin Shouyuan was even more keenly aware.
But she was his only daughter. He couldn’t bear to let her take such risks, to engage in life-and-death struggles.
’Her practical combat skills might be lacking, but she can rely on her higher Realm to win.’
As for Mingxi, Lin Shouyuan never had particularly high expectations. He just hoped his daughter could live a safe and peaceful life.
If Lin Yan could hear his master’s inner thoughts at this moment, he would agree wholeheartedly.
Overwhelming opponents with a superior Realm—that was precisely the fighting style he pursued as well.
As the tournament came to a close, Lin Yan prepared to leave. He had just lifted his foot when a figure suddenly appeared, blocking his way.
Lin Mingye stood there with his arms crossed, his expression as resentful as a child whose candy had just been stolen.
His eyes were fixed on Lin Yan. He didn’t say a word, yet his gaze seemed to speak volumes.
"What is it?" Lin Yan was getting unnerved by the stare.
"What is it?" Lin Mingye’s voice rose an octave before he forcibly suppressed it. In an accusatory tone, he enunciated each word, "The time before last, during your fight with Jian Sheng, who told me they were going all out? And last time, during your fight with Lin Mingqi, who told me that was their strongest sword strike?"
Lin Yan was speechless.
"So that was you ’going all out?’ That was your ’strongest sword strike?’ Then what about yesterday? And what about today?"
Sensing Lin Mingye’s indignation, Lin Yan rubbed his nose in resignation. "I really was going all out against Jian Sheng. But you know, I went on a trip afterward and made some progress in my Sword Dao, and my Realm improved too. Then, after winning the new talent tournament, I went to the Ancestral Land, right? I had another breakthrough there."
"Lies. Keep spinning your tales. I don’t believe a single word you’re saying anymore."
Lin Mingye crossed his arms. For a fleeting moment, he had actually believed Lin Yan’s explanation. But then he recalled Lin Yan’s past behavior and immediately came to his senses. ’It’s definitely not that simple.’
"What else could it be? Do you think my strength could have improved so quickly without those fortunate opportunities?"
Lin Yan spread his hands, a gesture that put Lin Mingye in a difficult position.
’He had a point, it seemed.’
’He goes on a trip, and his Sword Dao and Realm improve. Then he comes back, takes first place in the new talent tournament, enters the Ancestral Land, and his Realm improves again, advancing from the Blood Exchange Third Transformation to the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation.’
’It was a bit outrageous, but not entirely impossible to accept.’
’The main thing was, if he didn’t accept this explanation, he’d have to accept that Lin Yan was already at the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation and had comprehended three Sword Intents *before* he even returned to the estate.’
’That outcome was even more preposterous!’
"Really?" Lin Mingye asked, still hesitant and skeptical.
"Really."
"Then tell me right now, are you still holding back?" Lin Mingye leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, his eyes alight with unconcealed curiosity. "Or are you hiding something with your Sword Intent?"
Just as Lin Yan was about to answer, a voice called out from behind him.
"Lin Yan, Uncle Jiu is waiting for you in the pavilion over there."
Lin Yan turned to see an older clansman pointing toward the mountainside a few hundred yards away. Following his gaze, Lin Yan spotted the pavilion.
"Alright." Lin Yan nodded, then glanced at Lin Mingye. "I have to go. We can talk later."
Lin Mingye looked like he wanted to say something more but held his tongue. With a final sigh, he could only watch Lin Yan walk away.
When Lin Yan reached the mountainside pavilion, only Uncle Qi and his master remained.
"Uncle Qi."
"Master."
Lin Yan entered the pavilion. A glance at the tea set on the stone table told him that others had been present, but they had all left before his arrival.
’Anyone able to sit and drink tea with Uncle Qi and Master must be one of the other powerhouses from the clan’s ’uncle’ generation.’
"Don’t worry about the tea. Sit."
Seeing Lin Yan reach for the teapot, Lin Shouchen smiled and waved him off. He then looked up and asked, "You’ve already formed a Sword Pill?"
Just moments ago, after the other three had departed, Lin Shouchen had learned from Lin Shouyuan that Lin Yan had already managed to form a Sword Pill.
He wielded a spear, so he couldn’t sense the Sword Rhythm emanating from Lin Yan.
"Yes."
Lin Yan nodded. At this, Lin Shouyuan, who was beside them, interjected, "When did you break through to the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation?"
"I broke through after absorbing the Cold Gang in the Ancestral Land."
Hearing this, Lin Shouyuan and Lin Shouchen exchanged a look. It was just as they had expected.
The two of them had just discussed this and had come to the same conclusion: Lin Yan must have broken through to the Blood Exchange Fourth Transformation after absorbing the Cold Gang in the Ancestral Land.

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